The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has approved grants totaling $600,000 to four companies operating in Indiana to help expand their recycling operations. In addition to the grants, the four companies combined have committed to investing $2.9 million to strengthen recycling in Indiana.
The IDEM awarded the money from its Recycling Market Development Program. Grants awarded through the program help fund operations that reduce waste and expand the use of recycled content in manufacturing.
GreenCycle of Indiana in Marion County received $150,000 toward the purchase of an electrically operated tub grinder to expand its mulch and composting operation, enabling it to increase product sales and meet market demand. The electric grinder is capable of grinding between 100 to 150 tons per hour and will increase processing capacity by 140,000 tons per year without increasing fuel consumption.
Petoskey Plastics Inc., headquartered in Michigan but operating a facility in Hartford City, Indiana, received $175,000 toward the purchase of equipment to expand its sorting operation to enable the removal of contaminants in bales of stretch film and to increase plant output. Petoskey Plastics estimates it will be able to process an additional 7,921 tons per year of commingled and contaminated plastic scrap.
Reflective Industries LLC, Shelbyville, Indiana, received $150,000 toward the purchase of an electronic energy-efficient dryer with an industrial vacuum. The company processes glass from the food and beverage industry as well as from the automotive industry. Operations involve collecting, sorting, crushing and sizing. The new equipment will allow contamination to be removed from the smallest glass particles to meet customer specifications for moisture and dust, the company says. The crushed glass is used in new glass products and as an ingredient in the production of fiberglass. Reflective Industries estimates that 16,000 tons of glass, 500 tons of paper and 700 tons of steel can be recycled as a result of the project. The company says it plans to hire four new employees.
Technology Recyclers, Indianapolis, received $125,000 toward the purchase of equipment, including a shredder, feeder, pit conveyor and baler. Through the company’s education efforts over the past three years, it has established itself as a recycler for 282 companies. The company estimates that it is diverting 5,570 tons of electronic scrap, including aluminum, plastic, steel and circuit boards, from the waste stream. The new equipment will enable the company to more precisely sort material and process larger items.